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For the fourth year, a group of ski enthusiasts from the Boston area will host their annual Snow Ball event to benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. All proceeds from the event this year will go directly toward the organization’s new adaptive sports facility at Mt. Ellen at Sugarbush Resort, with anticipated groundbreaking this Spring, 2019.

“As a financial planner, I see money as a tool, and there is nothing better than to see how it can improve the quality of life,” said Antonio Sordillo, the Merrill Lynch financial planner who is the brainchild behind the event along with John Malone of Counterpoint. “We look forward to working with Vermont Adaptive to build a permanent home at Mt. Ellen to continue to bring joy to all the wonderful athletes along with all the wonderful volunteers of a great organization for many, many years to come.”

The event will feature live music by local Vermont favorite, The Grift, as well as a silent auction, dancing, food, and beverages by Lawson’s Finest Liquids. The goal is to raise more than $50,000 from this year’s Snow Ball for the new Vermont Adaptive facility. In addition, every dollar raised from the evening will be matched—up to $1 million, thanks to a generous challenge from friends and participants of Vermont Adaptive’s programs at Sugarbush. Sugarbush Owner Win Smith has donated use of the land necessary to build upon.

Last year, the event raised more than $14,000 to support the building of the new facility. The facility at Mt. Ellen will be the second of three permanent homes in the state for Vermont Adaptive. Phase I of the Home Sweet Home Campaign was completed in 2013 with the Andrea Mead Lawrence Lodge at Pico Mountain, the organization’s state headquarters. A third facility is planned for Burlington, with a location on the waterfront and bike path.

There will be a private sponsor party from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7. Doors will open to the public at 7 p.m. All adaptive athletes may attend the event for free. Tickets are $40/individuals and $70/couples.

This year, the event is sponsored by John Malone of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, Dan Zabatis of John Hancock Retirement Services, Jesse Martin of Hartford Funds, Jeff Murphy of Invesco Investment Management, and Chris Grant of Dreyfus BNY Mellon, among other sponsors. The event will feature silent auction items from several corporate donors. Sugarbush is offering 1 Golf Forepack with a cart rental, a sunset groomer ride for 12 people, and Saturday First Tracks hosted by Sugarbush Owner Win Smith for seven people. Other available prizes include two pairs of skis donated by Alpine Options, and a delicious gift basket donated by Cabot Cheese.

The new facility at Pico Mountain created a spacious and accessible environment for adaptive athletes, and Vermont Adaptive is eager to bring that same experience to their participants who recreate in the Mad River Valley and central Vermont.

“As we grow and expand our existing programs and to better reach and serve our athletes with disabilities in the Mad River Valley, Central Vermont, and beyond, we want to be able to easily accommodate each of their specific needs,” said Maggie Burke, managing director at Vermont Adaptive. “With this new facility, we will be able to further improve the experience for all athletes, and include designs and features that focus on inclusion and adaptability.”

About Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. Sports and recreational opportunities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more. More than 400 volunteers serve clients from all over the world at three winter locations in Vermont - Pico Mountain at Killington; Sugarbush Resort in Warren; and Bolton Valley Resort in Bolton, as well as statewide during the summer and warmer months.